My wife and I were in a Big Lots bargain store yesterday. My wife was in the food section and I was three quarters of the way cross the store looking at recliners. I was also keeping an eye on my wife when I noticed a rather big African American man wearing ragged clothes watching my wife also. He was slowly inching his way towards her and kept staring at her. He did not notice me closing in behind him. When I was about ten feet away from him and a table of goods between us, I called to my wife. Wow, he jerked and turned to see me then made a fast exit at the nearest store doors.
Went to my wife and told her what possibly was happening and she said she also saw the man and was about to turn and come to me in an around about way to avoid the man. We told the person at the checkout and he called a manager and we described the man. The manager said the person that we described had been told to leave the store a few times before other days.
I feel the USCCA training in Situational Awareness paid off that day.
Your situation reminds me why I never leave my wife’s side. I get challenged in certain situations. If you ever see a guy standing in front of the ladies room in public, who looks like he’s ready to kill, that would be me. Sometimes at the bank or the credit union my wife has to explain, that I’m the bodyguard. Not the husband or boyfriend, but the bodyguard! It never gets questioned.
You may not get the picture, but I’m not the average person with his wife at the teller windows. I make eye contact with the teller, then I turn my back on them, watching doors, exits, offices, meetings, any which way a scumbag can approach! I’m ready and aware, wound too tight, let’s just say I couldn’t get stabbed in the neck from behind, there is no behind when I’m on watch!
I’ll admit this is no way to live! We didn’t do this. We have been forced to take necessary precautions and actions if required.
I’m polite, professional and prepared 24/7/365.
The mindset, is I’m too old to give a s#it anymore. Mess with my family FAFO. If it’s someone else, not in my lane.
Possibly render first aid, if BG is out of the picture!
It’s kinda what my wife is most concerned about! No hesitation!
It’s also why I’m surprised that @William377 didn’t describe how it felt to have his hand on the grip, making a 360 sweep of the area and, well, you know the thing!
If there were guns involved I think he would have.
Maybe the climate didn’t call for it. I would have at least made eye contact and asked the guy what he was up to?
Challenging someone like that could equal provocation. By then you don’t have the element of surprise. What Willam did was prime. He startled the creep and made everyone in close proximity aware of his presence.
My wife is never out of my sight when we go out and it’s going to be crowded around the ladies room door also. William did just what I would have done . I never touch my weapon unless I’m going to pull it. I’m the guy that looks like he has no care in the world and relaxed but my head is on a swivel the whole time.
Scary times we live in. Where we live is rural, but we still keep our heads on a swivel. Travelling to a larger city raises the awareness level immensely. Direct routes and NO side streets to our destination preferably at the outskirts. Walmarts and parking garages have me at condition red these days. Inside we remain in sight of each other and she is aware of my cues of when action is needed on her part.
I don’t think anyone would try to get to one of our wives with me, Peter, Scott and Sinbad all standing around, heads on swivels, making eye contact with everyone else walking past.
@Robert1246, having a table between me and the guy and 10ft apart was sufficient for the situation. Calling to my wife let him know she wasn’t by herself.
I pocket carry most all the time, right front pocket. There have been more than a few occasions where my hand is in my pocket, firmly wrapped around the grip, ready to go. The person in front of me (or somewhere else causing condition orange) likely had no idea I was standing there with a gun in my hand.
Imagine all the people
